Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

MINNEAPOLIS—The 2013 baseball season opener began exceptionally well for Bethel University, as they upended Northwestern College twice at the HHH Metrodome Monday evening. The Royals (2-0, 0-0 MIAC) poured in five seventh inning runs in game one to capture a 7-2 win before topping the Eagles (0-2, 0-0 UMAC) 9-1 in game two.
 
“I can't be prouder of the way we came out tonight,” said head baseball coach Brian Raabe. “I thought we won in every phase in the game, including our play in the field and on the pitching mound.”
 
Jake Hanzalik (Fr., New Brighton, Minn.) showcased quite the debut for Bethel, as the freshman hurler was asked to pitch the opening contest. Hanzalik allowed just three hits and one walk in six innings pitched, while striking out three, walking one, and giving up zero runs. The New Brighton, Minn., native worked out of a number of jams, including two on in the first and fourth innings.
 
Grant Anderson (So., Andover, Minn.),  and Esteban Abbey (Sr., Chicago, Ill.) both finished the nonconference affair 2-for-3, as Anderson scored twice and drove in two and Abbey scored once and drove in one more. Mike Whartnaby (Jr., Libertyville, Ill.) was the only other Royal to drive in runs, as he finished 1-for-3 with two RBI.
 
Whartnaby got the first RBI of the season in the third inning when he grounded out to second base, scoring Grant Anderson, who reached on a single and advanced on an Esteban Abbey base hit. 
 
The Royals got one more in the fifth, when a number of wild pitches and an Abbey single brought home Luke Schultz (Jr., Forest Lake, Minn.).
 
Luke Schultz scored again in the seventh, along with Alex Hunter (Fr., Hopkins, Minn.), when Grant Anderson ripped a triple ripped a triple down the right field line. A NWC error and a double by Whartnaby brought in two more before Whartnaby later scored on a wild pitch to give the Royals the eventual 7-2 victory.
 
Game two was more of the same, as 2012 MIAC MVP Matt Rowley (Sr., Minnetonka, Minn.) started pitching right where he left off one year ago. Rowley tossed a five-inning, one-run gem, allowing three hits and zero walks, while striking out four. The Royals also had Matt Pryor (So., St. Paul, Minn.) come in to pitch a flawless two-strikeout, zero-hit effort in relief.
 
Seven players drove in runs throughout the second contest, as Rowley went 3-for-4 at the plate—including a double and a triple—with one RBI and one run scored. Nik Anderson (So., Arden Hills, Minn.) drove in a pair of runs when he singled to left field in the sixth inning and Jarad Watts (Fr., La Quinta, Calif.) also drove in two runs with a groundout and flyout.
 
Grant Anderson went 2-for-3 again, with two runs and an RBI. Meanwhile Austin Hanson (Jr., Mounds View, Minn.) scored twice, while going 1-of-2 at the plate with a double and an RBI.
 
Bethel's defense was just as solid as its offense, as the Royals finished the second seven-inning game without an error and just three hits allowed.
 
Raabe was very pleased with his team's overall performance at the conclusion of the double header, stating, “We played well defensively and had timely hitting. We also ran the bases well. It was a good way to start of the season.”
 
The Royals have two days rest before traveling back to the HHH Metrodome to take on Presentation College Thursday. First pitch is scheduled to begin at 11:45 a.m. with both live stats and webcasts available here.